TV stars who made leap to movies

John Travolta's movie career includes two Oscar nominations and such films as "Saturday Night Fever," "Pulp Fiction" and "Grease."

But you have to go back to 1975 for TV's "Welcome Back, Kotter" for Travolta's start as Vinnie Barbarino.

Mila Kunis may have gotten famous thanks to "That '70s Show," but she's become a movie star in her own right, thanks to roles in movies like "Black Swan," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," "Friends with Benefits," "Ted" and "Oz the Great and Powerful."

James Franco, Kunis' "Oz the Great and Powerful" costar, has also become a bona fide movie star, with roles in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy, "127 Hours" and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." But he first got a taste of fame in a short-lived TV series.

Franco starred in the NBC series "Freaks and Geeks," which was canceled after 12 episodes during the 1999-2000 TV season. The show has since become developed a devout cult following.

Michelle Williams earned her third Oscar nomination for her role in "My Weekend with Marilyn" after receiving earlier nods for "Brokeback Mountain" and "Blue Valentine." But what TV drama helped launch her career?

Williams broke through by playing Jen Lindley on "Dawson's Creek" from 1998 to 2003.

"Die Hard" star Willis has also appeared in such movies as "Pulp Fiction," "Armageddon" and "The Sixth Sense."

But he got his start on television, playing David Addison in "Moonlighting" from 1985 to 1989.

Before appearing in movies such a "Looper," "Inception," "(500) Days Of Summer," "Stop-Loss" and "50/50," Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in television's "3rd Rock From The Sun" as Tommy Solomon.

While Steve Carell is best known for playing Michael Scott in the sitcom "The Office," he's also made the leap to movies, including "Get Smart," "Little Miss Sunshine," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Crazy Stupid Love."

George Clooney began getting major roles on the big screen beginning in the 1990s, when he starred in "One Fine Day" and "Batman & Robin" before landing more serious roles in movies that included "Syriana," for which Clooney received the Oscar for best supporting actor.

But Clooney toiled through the late '80s with recurring roles on "The Facts of Life" and "Roseanne."

Not to mention the role that started his fame and made the leap to movies possible: Dr. Doug Ross on "ER."

Johnny Depp had some of his first acting roles in "Nightmare on Elm Street" and "Platoon," before becoming a star with such hits as "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Public Enemies" and "Edward Scissorhands."

But it was his 71-episode stint between 1987 and 1990 as an undercover cop who specialized in infiltrating high schools on "21 Jump Street" that saw his fame begin to really blossom.

Leonardo DiCaprio has become one of Oscar's favorite with nominated roles in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "The Aviator" and "Blood Diamond," not to mention the Best Picture-winning movies "Titanic" and "The Departed."

But at the age of 17 he could be found playing Luke Brower during the final season of the sit-com "Growing Pains" in 1991-92.

Before he became one of Hollywood's biggest actors, Hanks starred on the television show "Bosom Buddies."

Woody Harrelson has developed a movie career that includes Oscar nominations for "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and 2009's "The Messenger," as well as the well-received "Zombieland."

But for years he was better known as dim, but sweet, Indiana-farm-boy-turned-bartender Woody Boyd in "Cheers."

Before he played the leading man in movies such as "Malcolm X," "Training Day" and "Book of Eli," two-time Oscar-winner Denzel Washington got his start ...

... playing Dr. Philip Chandler in the television series "St. Elsewhere."

Michael J. Fox became a box office star thanks to movies like "Back to the Future" and "Teen Wolf."

But for years he was better known as Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties," a role that earned him three Emmys. He also returned to TV in the late '90s with "Spin City."

The late acting legend Robin Williams excelled as both a comic and dramatic actor in his movie career, ranging from "Mrs. Doubtfire" to the Oscar-nominated "Dead Poets Society" and Oscar-winning "Good Will Hunting."

But he got his start playing a wacky alien on "Mork & Mindy," a role that actually was born on another TV show, "Happy Days."

Jennifer Aniston has starred on the big screen with roles in movies that include "Office Space," "The Break-Up" "Marley &#38; Me" and "He's Just Not That Into You."

She rose to fame playing "Rachel Green" on the hit sitcom "Friends," and proved so popular every woman wanted her hair styled into "The Rachel."

But that wasn't even her first foray into television. She played "Jeannie Bueller" in the short-lived TV show "Ferris Bueller" in 1990-91.

Before he starred in and directed such major motion pictures as "Gran Torino," "Million Dollar Baby" and "Unforgiven," Clint Eastwood got his start where?

But she got her career started playing the spunky "Betsy Stewart" in the daytime drama "As the World Turns," from 1982 to 1984.

Before he was fighting aliens in "Independence Day" or "Men in Black," or trying to save the world in "Hancock," Will Smith was trying to cope with life in Bel-Air in the sit-com "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air."

Before he made the leap to movies with "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective," Jim Carrey made television audiences laugh on the television show "In Loving Color."

Eddie Murphy made television audiences laugh on "Saturday Night Live" before starring in movies including "Beverly Hills Cop," "48 Hours" and "Dreamgirls," for which he earned an Oscar nomination.

Before starring in movies such as "Happy Gilmore" and "Billy Madison," Adam Sandler made audiences laugh in television's "Saturday Night Live."

In addition to making audiences laugh in "Anchorman" and "Talladega Nights," Will Ferrell starred on television's "Saturday Night Live."

Pierce Brosnan played television's "Remington Steele" before he portrayed James Bond on the big screen.

Two-time Oscar winner and three-time Emmy winner Sally Field has starred in major motion pictures that include "Places in the Heart," "Norma Rae," "Steel Magnolias," "Soapdish" and "Forrest Gump."

But her career got off the ground originally on TV, with such shows as "Gidget" and "The Flying Nun." She's also appeared on "ER" and "Brothers & Sisters" in recent years.

Steve McQueen, before breaking into the movies with such films as "The Great Escape," "Bullitt," "The Cincinnati Kid" and "The Towering Inferno" ...

... had a starring role in the TV western "Wanted: Dead or Alive" between 1958 and 1961.

Oscar winner Helen Hunt starred in the hit sit-com "Mad About You" in addition to playing in movies such as "As Good As It Gets," for which she won an Oscar, "Twister," "Pay It Forward" and "What Women Want."

Mike Myers made movie audiences laugh in "Wayne's World," "Austin Powers" and "Shrek," and he entertained television audiences during his time on "Saturday Night Live."

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